Lara Adejoro The Federal Government on Thursday said it would invoke the no-work-no-pay rule against members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors who embarked on nationwide strike on Monday over the abduction of one of their colleagues in Kaduna State. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said this in a statement signed by its Assistant Director on Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako. The statement noted that the ministry was disappointed over the decision of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors to embark on a seven-day warning strike, disregarding all negotiations and plea attempts by the Federal Government to resolve its concerns and ensure continued industrial harmony.
NARD had on Monday commenced a seven-day warning strike over the abduction of their colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola who was kidnapped eight months ago. Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, was abducted on December 27, 2023, along with her husband and nephew. While her husband was released in March, Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.
NARD President, Dr Dele Abdullahi, said the decision was made during the Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held virtually on Sunday. The statement from the health ministry noted that the health ministry will not relent in its efforts to guarantee the safety and improve the welfare and working conditions of all healthcare workers, including resident doctors. It said .